The Birmingham Post's campaign to get a fair share out of the BBC has reached the director general after it drew a response from the BBC Trust.

A letter penned by Post editor Stacey Barnfield and BPM Media editor-in-chief Marc Reeves, outlining concerns over far lower investment levels in the Midlands than any other UK region, has been forwarded to BBC director general Tony Hall.

The Post is calling for 50 per cent of licence fee money raised in this region to be spent here - as it is in all other UK regions - after it emerged just £12.40 was reinvested for every £145.50 licence fee.

While a response from BBC Trust chairman Rona Fairhead said the BBC had outlined plans to move 190 jobs to its Mailbox offices, she said our letter would now be sent on to Mr Hall.

Production bosses in the region and politicians from all three major parties have come out in support of the Post's campaign for a fair share, as compared to last year when £80 million was invested in the Midlands by the BBC despite a quarter of its income - £942 million - being raised here.

The letter states: "The trust has no role in day-to-day operational decisions, including levels of regional spending.

"Although the trust sets the overall strategy for the BBC, responsibility for the BBC's operational and editorial matters rests with the director general as editor-in-chief.

"As such, the matter of how much money is spent in the Midlands is a matter for the BBC executive."

Data based on the BBC's annual report to April 2014 shows spending in the region has fallen from £100 million two years ago to £80 million.

Its expenditure in the Midlands - which includes the West and East Midlands and the East - is less than the £89 million the BBC spends on one building - its Broadcasting House headquarters in London.

The fall was down to the previous figures coming before the BBC shifted its factual unit to Bristol in 2012, meaning shows like Hairy Bikers, Countryfile and the coverage of the RHS flower show moved out from its Mailbox hub.